Effect of Phosphorus on Yield and Nutrient Content in Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) Irrigated with Saline Waters

On a sandy loam soil, berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L) grown in pots with varying levels of phosphorus, was irrigated with saline waters (EC 1.5 to 6.0 mmhos/cm). The percentage reduction in dry matter yield (2 years’ average) at EC 4 5 and 6.0 was 32.5 and 42.7, 60.5 and 74.6, 60.9 and 86.4, and 68.7 and 94.0 for the first, second, third and fourth cuttings, respectively as compared with EC of 1.5. Application of P₂O₅ @ 150 kgjha was found beneficial up to EC 4.5 mmhos, cm. Nitrogen content in plant increased with 100 and 150 kg P₂O₅/ha doses in case of waters which were more saline while the phosphorus composition improved at all the levels of P irrespective of water quality. Potassium content declined with phosphorus treatment and water salinity as well as with the age of the plants.